Our first real offensive fireworks of the day came when center fielder Che-Hsuan Lin hit a two-run home run to left field to put the World team up 3-0. With the U.S. team scratching out just two hits so far, World pitchers now just have to get through a couple innings to lock this one up.

Righthander Ryan Mattheus showed great velocity in the inning, touching 97 mph several times and pitching consistently at 94-96 mph, but Lin had no trouble catching up to the first pitch he saw, a 94 mph fastball. The home run also scored Scott Campbell, who had reached base on a fielder’s choice just before Lin.

Angel Villalona grounded to the pitcher in his first at-bat of the game after replacing Pablo Sandoval at first base, followed by new third baseman Juan Francisco hitting a single in an eight-pitch at-bat. Campbell grounded a ball up the middle that was fielded on a nice play by second baseman Chris Getz, who was able to flip to shortstop Chris Valaika for the out at second. Lin followed with his homer, and Jesus Montero flied out to the catcher to end the inning.